The American Dental Association recommends that everyone see their dentist every six months for a routine exam. While you are probably aware that these checkups involve a thorough inspection of your mouth as well as a cleaning, you may not know of how your dentist checks for many oral health issues during these appointments. Here’s a quick look at a few ways in which your dentist evaluates your oral health during your checkup.
Soft Tissue Inspection
Your dentist will inspect your soft tissues as well as your teeth during your checkup. The tongue can display a wide range of symptoms that indicate oral health issues. For example, this organ becoming discolored or especially sensitive may be a sign of a serious underlying problem. Similarly, your dentist will inspect your gums for issues like bleeding, swelling, and tissue recession, and they will also make sure that your salivary glands are working normally.
Checking for Oral Cancer
While dentists are not trained to diagnose or treat oral cancer, they are qualified to screen patients for signs of this dangerous condition and refer them to an appropriate specialist if they find anything of concern. Oral cancer can show itself through swelling or rough patches or bumps in the patient’s soft tissue, and detecting the symptoms early can allow this life-threatening illness to be resolved in its early stages.
Evaluating the Breath
Bad breath may seem like a source of mild embarrassment, but it can be a sign of serious oral infections. Issues like untreated gum disease, plaque accumulation, cavities, and soft tissue infections like dental abscesses can lead to unpleasant breath due to increased populations of harmful bacteria within the mouth. Bad breath may give your dentist an understanding of how they should instruct you to improve your oral hygiene.
Your routine dental checkups are a crucial part of maintaining your oral and overall health. Adhering to your dentist’s instructions will help you keep your smile and the rest of your body in great shape for decades to come.
About the Author
Dr. Travis Rottman earned his dental degree at the Texas A&M Baylor College of Dentistry and stays abreast of the latest developments in his field through continuing education coursework. He is also a Fellow of the Academy of the General Dentistry. His office in Sachse offers general, restorative, cosmetic, and emergency dentistry. To book your next checkup, contact the office online or dial (972) 848-0073.